Actualizing the full dividends of democracy in Nigeria

As the 54th Nigeria independence anniversary (October 1, 2014) and the 2015 general elections draw near, it is necessary to note some challenges hindering the nation's democratic system and economic development, and one of which is lack of leadership. Good leadership is based on the rule of law in a democratic system, and rule of law is the foundation of democracy. Similarly, a good leadership is an epitome of the rule of law and the basis upon which a just and fair society can be built, and as such the rule of law should flourish in any democratic system. Also, given the strong interrelationship between the rule of law and development, advancing the rule of law was essential for sustained and inclusive economic growth. Thus, respect for the rule of law becomes an integral part of good governance.

To sustain this order, the constitution outlines the strict limits of the exercise of power by a leader and makes those limits defendable by the rule of law. And an independent judiciary becomes essential to resolve human conflict in everyday affairs. However, some elected government officials are evidently derailing by failing to accept or implement a court judgment. Are they thinking about a lawless society? God forbid! And where did they learn this? Such cannot be tried in the western societies or even in some African nations, unless the culprit wants to go to jail. This is suicidal to our democracy and a time bomb that requires urgent defuse.

It is surely worth reflecting upon the basic structure of our government, because the corruption comes in many forms. Nigeria practice a federal system of government, with a three tiers of government, but it is regrettable that the three tier system has been destroyed in some states for selfish reasons. This group of people should be elected, but some state governors chosen to do otherwise. This is likened to a situation where a president chooses to appoint the state governors! This power abuse has to stop, because it hiders rural development and defies our democratic system. And this undemocratic action by a few in government at the detriment of a majority has to be rejected in totality.

Since some lawmakers have sold their conscience for material gains, and therefore refuse to carry out their responsibilities. Instead of checking the executive excesses, they have a shocking record of doing the opposite. These unpatriotic acts have a great negative impact on the polity. Hence, such people should be shown the way out or be rejected, till they and other government officials see their job as a call for duty, not an opportunity for them and their relations to leave a flamboyant life and enrich themselves, thereby devouring and looting the commonwealth.

The primary approach to analyze any government performance should be first and foremost, to compare the development growth with the revenue allocation receive by the government, as with this a fair assessment result will be achieved. A reference to any previous government performance level should be secondary, in that we aim and need to move forward, and beyond the level of better to best.

And it is a well-known fact that the second term of office is optional and not compulsory. Hence, the need for every elected official to plan for good projects that can be completed within the first term time frame, and if in any case, some projects are not completed, a new government will need to complete such projects, because government is a continuum process. So having unfinished projects is not an equal excuse to seek for a re-election. Such a request from a monumental failure or clueless person should be rejected with all alacrity. It will be accepted if it is linked to remarkable achievement.

A good leader's manifesto should be his/her word and bond. Mark Clement argues that “leaders who win the respect of others are the ones who deliver more than they promise, not the ones who promise more than they can deliver”. And a leader's project should have economic value and stand the test of time, with the interest of the masses placed paramount. Hence, public opinion should flourish to ascertain the importance of some projects before execution. We need a leader who does not see himself/herself as a boss or demi-god, but a servant, and leads by good examples and accepts skepticism and criticism.

A leader should constantly engage with the people. Fred Smith, stressed that “leadership is getting people to work for you when they are not obliged”. Therefore, leadership begins with the heart, not the head and it flourish with a meaningful relationship, not mere regulations. Good governance endears a majority to the leader as it is one of the evidence of their representation. A leader must always have his/her ears to the ground and not always remain detached in his/her position. It takes the leader little or no time to convince the people about his/her policies and actions, and should re-examine any policy and action the people vehemently opposed, to ascertain if there was an error in the choice. And if we have a leader who executes good projects at every nooks and crannies of the polity, there would be a less clamour for zoning of political positions.

One major point should be perfectly clear here. We need a leader who will promote confidence and trust in the polity, because trust is a major ingredient of leadership, and without the trust of the led, the leader cannot be very effective. Trust can be sustained through transparency and honesty which creates mutual co-existence. We need credible and thinking politicians, with a proven track record of performance that will focus on issue based and people oriented development projects, and bring a genuine progress.

And while politics is good, good leadership is necessary. A majority of people should not be poor in the midst of plenty. The challenges demand a clear break from our ugly past where leaders merely emerged only to play with the people's intelligence. The task belongs to all of us as our leadership responsibility or citizenship does not confer isolation on us but involvement and participation. And while more is expected of politicians, who control our huge resources, all can be an agent and catalysts for positive change- enthroning genuine democracy and living up to the required responsibilities. Whether as a corporate executive, farm worker, church worker, politician, low income earner, university lecturer, Day-care worker, trader, small business owner, civil servant, just to mention a few. You can be an instrument of the desired change. We are morally obliged and must take it as a wake-up call to address the challenges, and exploit the opportunities to enhance a genuine nation building

By Augustine Ezeji- A Communication and Research Officer with RAWDP, Owerri. ([email protected])

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